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The Hardy Boys #1-3
The Hardy Boys Books 1-3: The Tower Treasure, The House on the Cliff, The Secret of the Old Mill
Franklin W. Dixon is the pen name of Leslie McFarlane who wrote the first fifteen or so volumes including The Tower Treasure, The House on the Cliff, and The Secret of the Old Mill.
Published in 1927, The Tower Treasure is the first book that introduced the teenage heroes, Frank and Joe Hardy, and which also began the series that would introduce generations of young boys to the world of crime fiction.
Detective stories about the Hardy brothers first appeared in the United States and became a true literary event of the 20th an exciting plot where investigations and mysteries, crime detection, danger, and risk are intertwined, captures the reader's attention from the very first pages and keeps them in suspense until the end of the book.
In “The Tower Treasure,” Frank and Joe Hardy will have to investigate several cases simultaneously. Their friend, Chet's car, was stolen, and the ticket office at the ferry station was robbed. Witnesses spotted a red-haired man at the crime scene. While Hardy's detectives are trying to figure out the crimes' circumstances, another event shocks the whole a local landmark, an impregnable castle mansion, is robbed! Is the same red-haired stranger involved here, or is a gang of criminals operating in the district?
In "The House on the Cliff," Frank and Joe Hardy will have to investigate two cases track the smugglers and find the missing father, Fenton Hardy. All the shreds of evidence lead the guys to a house on a cliff where ... a ghost lives! Frank and Joe guess this trick may be a distraction because the place is fraught with a terrible secret that no one should know. But the Hardy brothers boldly go to the mysterious old house.
In "The Secret of the Old Mill," young detectives will have to unravel another tangle of twisted events. Counterfeit twenty-dollar bills appeared in the city. There are many guesses, but evidence - almost none. One clue leads the Hardy brothers to an old mill, which serves as a gateway for a modern factory. There is something at this mill, but it is almost impossible to get there. And then, the brothers decide to take the risk...
Published in 1927, The Tower Treasure is the first book that introduced the teenage heroes, Frank and Joe Hardy, and which also began the series that would introduce generations of young boys to the world of crime fiction.
Detective stories about the Hardy brothers first appeared in the United States and became a true literary event of the 20th an exciting plot where investigations and mysteries, crime detection, danger, and risk are intertwined, captures the reader's attention from the very first pages and keeps them in suspense until the end of the book.
In “The Tower Treasure,” Frank and Joe Hardy will have to investigate several cases simultaneously. Their friend, Chet's car, was stolen, and the ticket office at the ferry station was robbed. Witnesses spotted a red-haired man at the crime scene. While Hardy's detectives are trying to figure out the crimes' circumstances, another event shocks the whole a local landmark, an impregnable castle mansion, is robbed! Is the same red-haired stranger involved here, or is a gang of criminals operating in the district?
In "The House on the Cliff," Frank and Joe Hardy will have to investigate two cases track the smugglers and find the missing father, Fenton Hardy. All the shreds of evidence lead the guys to a house on a cliff where ... a ghost lives! Frank and Joe guess this trick may be a distraction because the place is fraught with a terrible secret that no one should know. But the Hardy brothers boldly go to the mysterious old house.
In "The Secret of the Old Mill," young detectives will have to unravel another tangle of twisted events. Counterfeit twenty-dollar bills appeared in the city. There are many guesses, but evidence - almost none. One clue leads the Hardy brothers to an old mill, which serves as a gateway for a modern factory. There is something at this mill, but it is almost impossible to get there. And then, the brothers decide to take the risk...
- GenresMystery
402 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 1970
75 people are currently reading
82 people want to read
About the author
Franklin W. Dixon
755 books995 followersFranklin W. Dixon is the pen name used by a variety of different authors who were part of a team that wrote The Hardy Boys novels for the Stratemeyer Syndicate (now owned by Simon & Schuster). Dixon was also the writer attributed for the Ted Scott Flying Stories series, published by Grosset & Dunlap.
Canadian author Leslie McFarlane is believed to have written the first sixteen Hardy Boys books, but worked to a detailed plot and character outline for each story. The outlines are believed to have originated with Edward Stratemeyer, with later books outlined by his daughters Edna C. Squier and Harriet Stratemeyer Adams. Edward and Harriet also edited all books in the series through the mid-1960s. Other writers of the original books include MacFarlane's wife Amy, John Button, Andrew E. Svenson, and Adams herself; most of the outlines were done by Adams and Svenson. A number of other writers and editors were recruited to revise the outlines and update the texts in line with a more modern sensibility, starting in the late 1950s.
The principal author for the Ted Scott books was John W. Duffield.
Canadian author Leslie McFarlane is believed to have written the first sixteen Hardy Boys books, but worked to a detailed plot and character outline for each story. The outlines are believed to have originated with Edward Stratemeyer, with later books outlined by his daughters Edna C. Squier and Harriet Stratemeyer Adams. Edward and Harriet also edited all books in the series through the mid-1960s. Other writers of the original books include MacFarlane's wife Amy, John Button, Andrew E. Svenson, and Adams herself; most of the outlines were done by Adams and Svenson. A number of other writers and editors were recruited to revise the outlines and update the texts in line with a more modern sensibility, starting in the late 1950s.
The principal author for the Ted Scott books was John W. Duffield.
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Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
June 6, 2025
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ A Classic Start to a Timeless Mystery Series
I recently read the first three Hardy Boys books—The Tower Treasure, The House on the Cliff, and The Secret of the Old Mill—and absolutely loved them! Each book is packed with mystery, action, and just the right amount of suspense to keep you turning the pages.
The Tower Treasure kicks things off with a stolen inheritance and a hidden treasure. It was fun to follow Frank and Joe as they pieced together clues and proved their detective skills. The story is fast-paced and had a very satisfying ending.
The House on the Cliff raises the stakes with smuggling, secret hideouts, and dangerous criminals. The boys get into some risky situations, but they never back down. This one had great atmosphere and a really spooky setting that kept me hooked.
The Secret of the Old Mill involves counterfeit money and some clever twists. I enjoyed how the plot unfolded and how the brothers worked together using logic and courage to solve the case.
What makes these books special is the bond between the Hardy brothers, their loyalty to friends and family, and their sense of justice. Even though they were written many decades ago, the stories still feel exciting and engaging today.
If you’re looking for fun, wholesome mysteries with brave teenage detectives, these are perfect. A great start to the classic Hardy Boys series!
I recently read the first three Hardy Boys books—The Tower Treasure, The House on the Cliff, and The Secret of the Old Mill—and absolutely loved them! Each book is packed with mystery, action, and just the right amount of suspense to keep you turning the pages.
The Tower Treasure kicks things off with a stolen inheritance and a hidden treasure. It was fun to follow Frank and Joe as they pieced together clues and proved their detective skills. The story is fast-paced and had a very satisfying ending.
The House on the Cliff raises the stakes with smuggling, secret hideouts, and dangerous criminals. The boys get into some risky situations, but they never back down. This one had great atmosphere and a really spooky setting that kept me hooked.
The Secret of the Old Mill involves counterfeit money and some clever twists. I enjoyed how the plot unfolded and how the brothers worked together using logic and courage to solve the case.
What makes these books special is the bond between the Hardy brothers, their loyalty to friends and family, and their sense of justice. Even though they were written many decades ago, the stories still feel exciting and engaging today.
If you’re looking for fun, wholesome mysteries with brave teenage detectives, these are perfect. A great start to the classic Hardy Boys series!
January 4, 2023
One of my favorite books mostly because the hardy boys is one of my favorite series.
November 3, 2016
GREAT!!! Very mysterious...
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews